With the ending of the fabulous Gilmore Keyboard Festival, it is time to give due praise to the dedicated people, whose efforts and organizational capability made it all possible.

Besides the selection of the artists, the artistic programs and the international search for the Gilmore Artist, Director Dan Gustin with his sidekick Alice Kemmerling and a staff of 12 devoted people organized and successfully executed a series of 83 artistic events (classical and jazz concerts, lectures, plays and master classes, etc.) in four cities.

Just imagine what this took.

They put together the two-week program; they contracted the artists and the orchestras and coordinated their programs; they contracted the venues and the suppliers (instruments, food, etc.); they devised and executed an elaborate advertising campaign on billboards, in newspapers, brochures and e-mails.

They organized an army of volunteers to drive, house and feed the international artists during their stay in Michigan, to host receptions and to serve as ushers at the concerts. They contracted with the Elderhostel organization and Alma College to bring out-of-town visitors to the concerts. They contracted for the program, brochures and booklets and they sold tickets. Also, since the ticket sales would only pay for a part of the expenses, they worked to find different sources of funding for this undertaking: The Gilmore Foundation and other charitable foundations, individuals, companies and advertisers.

On behalf of the music-loving citizens of Kalamazoo, I raise my hat to Dan and Alice and to their colleagues and volunteers for organizing and running this festival as a well-oiled machine.

Robert Denes / KalamazooSaturday morning is the right time for a new start

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of Americans and they are preventable! You have control over your health. This Saturday is the day for you to start making a better choice.

Please support the American Heart Association. They fund the research that has made pacemakers, cardiac stents and CPR training possible. They want to help you live better. No one is asking you to run a marathon, just come take a walk. Eat healthier. Stop waiting, and start taking the small steps that add up to a healthier, happier you. Bring your family and friends. Strollers and friendly dogs are welcome. You deserve a healthy body. Come and make a new start!

Amy Swager/Climax

Local chapter of national Constitution Party seeks members

Responding to the massive and what many believe to be unconstitutional expansion of the federal government, the national Constitution Party has formed Michigan affiliates in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. Other counties are forming chapters as well.

Our party has ballot access, that is, our candidates are guaranteed to be on the November ballot. We do not have a primary, but will hold a state nominating convention in late June.

We are looking for members, precinct leaders and candidates for every level of government.Disillusioned Democrats, Republicans and Independents who are willing to stand up and fight for constitutional government are welcome. Time is of the essence.

If you are interested in running for office or helping in any way, contact me at melvalkner@yahoo.com or call me at 269-353-0392.

Mel Valkner / Kalamazoo

Local organizations form creative partnership to help others

Recently, WMUK, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, and Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes teamed up for the Partnership for Hunger Relief.

At first glance, it may have seemed like an unusual collaboration: the local public radio station, the local emergency food provider and the local community foundation. But all three partners in this alliance have one particular, important attribute in common: service to community.

This partnership, launched during WMUK’s Spring Pledge Drive, was designed to raise dollars to support WMUK programming while simultaneously highlighting local food insecurity and the thousands of local people who are struggling daily.

At the end of pledge week, WMUK reached its goal, and a $20,000 gift was activated from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes — dollars that will help support emergency food resources throughout the county in the weeks and months ahead.

I want to say thank you to WMUK (and its listeners) and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation for working for hunger relief and for a partnership that couldn’t have made more sense.